Chicagoans brave the bitterly cold month of December by channeling their energy into festive celebrations. The best corporate party ideas in Chicago keep the cold at bay, and bring the holiday cheer. In this guide I’ll discuss the best activities, bars, venues, gifts, themes, and all the tips and tricks for organizing a holiday party your team will never forget!
Since 2011, we’ve helped organizers create 5-star dining experiences that connect people better. From team building offsites and corporate events to milestone celebrations, we specialize in elevated experiences that go beyond the traditional dinner. Because connection doesn’t happen over boring meals.
Ditch the same old holiday party activities. Try these uniquely engaging turnkey experiences that bring the holiday cheer and let you sit back and enjoy it.
Play with your food in this fun, interactive dining experience! Enjoy a 4-course meal with beverage pairings, plus 3 hosted activities. Think hands-on Christmas cocktails, holiday foodie trivia, and quirky candy cane tasting!
Book a unique happy hour event for your group, featuring 5 canapés, 2 beverages, and 3 awesome holiday activities to get people mixing and mingling naturally.
If you want to host your team building onsite, or you already have a venue in mind, Avital’s Interactive Foodie Stations are a great add-on. They’re all-inclusive bars where your guests can mix and mingle as they taste and create.
Chicagoans love their holiday traditions, which means there are a lot of exciting things to do to celebrate the season! These activities showcase the best of Chicago’s winter festivities.
This German-style Christmas Market is one of the most popular holiday activities in Chicago. The smell of bratwurst and hot pretzels, coupled with the wares from vendors around the world, make this an activity everyone can enjoy.
The Kenneth C Griffin Museum of Science and Industry welcome community members to decorate Christmas trees in the style of their holiday traditions for this staggering exhibit of 50 uniquely lit and decorated trees. This is a great way to make sure everyone’s traditions are uplifted at your work holiday party.
Take your team to bask in the holiday light show to end all holiday light shows at the Morton Arboretum! As far as the eye can see colorful lights adorn the beautiful trees creating a magical effect you have to see to believe. The photo-ops never stop when you take the work Christmas party to Morton!
If you’re looking to inject some culture into your work holiday party, your team might enjoy a night at the theater! The Goodman is a phenomenal theater, where their yearly rendition of A Christmas Carol delights Chicagoan audiences.
Ice skating is a fun and nostalgic holiday party activity. The McCormick Tribute Ice Rink is lovely around the holidays, and they make it easy to rent skates for the whole team.
Charcuterie Chalets are grown-up gingerbread houses made from ingredients typically found on a meat and cheese board. Your team can build them together from kits, or book a game-show-style experience where one house wins it all.
One of Chicago’s most beloved traditions is to go out to Chicago Christmas themed bars to get into the holiday spirit. At a Chicago Xmas bar, you can expect incredible decorations, holiday-themed drinks, and Christmas music playing all through the night.
Enjoy some Glogg at Simon’s Tavern in Andersonville! This spiked mulled wine has been served alongside a sweet ginger cookie. This has been a tradition here since 1994! Make sure to make a wish by gently tapping the cookie to see how many pieces it breaks into before you eat it (3 pieces means your wish will come true)!
Chief O’Neills takes Christmas decorating to the MAX by completely transforming their space every winter. There isn’t a speck of wall space to be seen between the endless garlands of red and green tinsel, big shiny baubles, and twinkling Christmas lights. This is a great spot to bring your customers for a massive dose of Holiday cheer!
Chicagoans flock to Miller’s Pub every Holiday season for one drink— The Tom and Jerry! This is an old fashioned boozy hot egg nog drink that is creamy, comforting, and festive all at once. When you and your team have drunk your fill at the bar you can head to the restaurant section to indulge in some of the best ribs in town.
Butch McGuires is known for two things come December— their gaudy holiday decorations, and their world-famous Christmas in your mouth shot. The recipe for this shot is top secret information so if your team wants to try it they’ll have to come out to the bar!
For most of the year the Tack Room is a piano bar located inside Thalia Hall. Come Christmas, it transforms into the “Reindeer Room”. Christmas Decor helps to transform the space along with holiday tunes being played on the piano all night long. This spot has it all from the venue, to the beverages, to the entertainment!
When looking for corporate holiday party venues in Chicago I find that the essentials are good food, great drinks, and festive ambiance. The best party venues in Chicago have all three, and I can guarantee that all the spots on this list are going to deliver.
Avec’s West Loop location offers a sleek private dining room for up to 40 guests, featuring an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows. Signature dishes like the truffle focaccia and short rib hummus make this a standout venue for upscale group dining.
Sepia is a Michelin-starred gem offering private dining for up to 60 guests. Its seasonal tasting menus and elegant ambiance make it a top pick for groups seeking a refined culinary experience this holiday season.
Irazu brings the warmth and flavor of Costa Rica to Chicago with homestyle dishes and a welcoming “pura vida” vibe. They offer private dining for up to 75 guests, making it a great option for large, relaxed holiday celebrations over signature pepito sandwiches and Costa Rican beer.
Quartino Restaurante serves shareable Italian dishes perfect for a group holiday feast, from antipasti and housemade pastas to signature chicken parmigiano. Their lively atmosphere and family-style portions make it a top pick for social group dining.
Bar Siena is a massive two-story venue that can host up to 180 guests, offering everything from cocktail receptions to multi-course dinners. Expect hearty Italian favorites, great drinks, and a lively West Loop energy that’s ideal for big, energetic groups.
London’s famed steakhouse, Hawksmoor, brings its elegant dining to Chicago with private rooms like the “Big Mike,” seating up to 22 guests. Guests can indulge in char-grilled steaks, seafood towers, and refined sides in a sophisticated setting.
Themes elevate company holiday celebrations, creating unique experiences that your group will remember for the entire year. These innovative holiday party themes for work help companies distinguish their celebrations and add some whimsy to the holiday season.
Channel alpine luxury without leaving the Chicago. Faux-fur throws, twinkling lanterns, and hot toddy stations set the mood. Serve fondue, mini raclette plates, and gourmet s’mores made tableside. Guests can wear chic ski lodge attire — think cozy knits and champagne flutes.
Hire a Chicago magician like Zach Waldman and infuse some Holiday magic into this year’s celebration. Embrace the theme with crystal balls, silver streamers, and playing card decorations.
Tropical holiday themes offer an escape from winter with Hawaiian shirts and summer vibes, providing a refreshing alternative to traditional winter celebrations. Be sure to feature tropical flowers, summer cocktails, and beach-themed decorations.
A murder mystery is an amazingly engaging theme. Encourage your group to dress up according to the theme you choose. You can hire actors and an event host who will be in character the entire time to really immerse everyone attending the party.
A vintage holiday theme featuring retro decorations from the 1950s has a nostalgic charm. Decorate with classic ornaments, vintage advertisements, and period-appropriate music. Dress in vintage xmas sweaters and dresses.
We all know the season isn’t about receiving gifts, BUT, some thoughtful, curated gifts never hurt anybody. Plus, they’re a great way to show appreciation. Whether you’re sending holiday party kits or organizing a gift exchange, here are our top picks for all comfort levels and budgets.
Personalized gift cards from local restaurants or popular retailers allow recipients to choose items they actually want while supporting local businesses. Coordination with local establishments can sometimes yield group discounts or special promotions.
Charity gift giving, supporting local food banks or toy drives, transforms gift exchanges into community service opportunities. Departments or teams can compete to collect the most donations, while individual contributions replace traditional gift exchanges.
To play White Elephant, everyone brings a secret gift to the party (within the budget you set). Then, one at a time, people will open a gift. As you go along, each subsequent person can choose to open an unopened gift or steal a gift that has already been opened.
Secret Santa exchanges with $25 budget limits and optional theme guidelines provide structure while maintaining surprise elements. Optional themes like “locally made items” or “books and experiences” can add creativity while maintaining budget consciousness.
High-quality branded items like fleece jackets, water bottles, or tech accessories feel more valuable than typical promotional items and create ongoing brand visibility. These gifts are stylish and utilitarian, which your team is sure to appreciate.
Unsure of what to wear to this year’s work holiday party? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
When in doubt, dress in the colors of the season! Red and green or silver and gold are never out of place at a company holiday party.
It’s finally the right time of year to pull out that hideous sweater your grandma gave you, that you feel too guilty to get rid of… The gaudier the better!
When the weather is cold, it’s the perfect time to experiment with layers in your style. A stylish trench coat or wool jacket, patterned tights, or a blouse over a sparkly long-sleeve top can take your office holiday party outfit to the next level.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a little extra dressed up to ring in the Holidays! A suit jacket, chic dress, or pantsuit is never out of place at an office holiday party.
Get Logistics Sorted: Date, headcount, budget, and goals are the first things that need to be confirmed before any planning happens.
Secure Your Venue: If your party is at the office, you can skip this step, but if it’s anywhere else, you need to be booking way in advance (as early as 6-9 months ahead).
Source Food & Drink: There are many ways to feed and water your party. You can choose traditional catering, book a turnkey food and drink experience, host at a restaurant, or even DIY it.
Keep it Engaging: Activities are essential for an engaging corporate holiday party. It gives people something to talk about and eliminates awkwardness.
Bear Inclusivity in Mind: We find that branding your celebration as a holiday party makes sure no one feels left out, no matter what holiday they’re celebrating this winter.
The earlier the better, since prime holiday dates fill up fast! 3-6 months in advance is best. Particularly if you are booking a popular venue or vendors.
A budget corporate holiday party at the office will likely cost $50- $100 pp. A party at a restaurant, event venue, or sports and game complex will cost closer to $75-$300pp.
This is the dealer’s choice! The benefit of a party during work hours is typically a higher attendance rate. The benefit of after-hours is that it can feel more festive and easier to get loose and relax.
This depends on your budget and event goals. An in-office party is best for teams on a budget. Outside venues tend to feel more special but they are higher budget and need to be planned further in advance.
Avital’s Interactive Meal is very popular for office party xmas celebrations. Organizers love that Avital Experiences plans everything from the menu to the drinks to the activities with no surprise fees. The expert host on-site during the event means you can actually sit back and enjoy the event along with everyone else.
Avec, Sepia, Irazu, Quartino Restaurante, Bar Siena, and Hawksmoor are the best holiday party venues in Chicago.
Simon’s Tavern, Chief O’Neills, Miller’s Pub, Butch McGuires, and the Tack Room are the best holiday bars in Chicago.
The most unique corporate holiday party ideas in Chicago aren’t just about food or décor—they’re about connection. Your team should walk away feeling seen, appreciated, and genuinely delighted. That’s where we come in.
We design quirky, classy, food-and-drink-driven experiences that deepen connections and leave guests buzzing. Ready to turn your holiday company party ideas into an event your team will talk about all year?
Avital Ungar is dining and restaurant expert and the founder of Avital Experiences. She has spent 15+ years designing dining experiences nationwide and has been featured in The New York Times, Shark Tank, Travel Channel, Bon Appétit, and more. Learn more
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